Silence over hurt player

Investigators are staying mum on whether French rugby player Mathieu Bastareaud returned to his Wellington hotel unscathed with two teammates and two women early on Sunday.

"I cannot confirm or deny that," Inspector Pete Cowan said last night.

But a police source told the Herald the player entered the Holiday Inn in Featherston St with the group injury-free and did not come back out.

He understood there were other inconsistencies in the centre's version of events regarding timing.

Bastareaud, 20, told police he was attacked from behind by a number of men, receiving facial cuts and heavy bruising. Police have said this occurred some time between 3.30am and 5.30am. But the source said police were "looking at some video evidence from much later in the morning".

TV One yesterday reported that police had CCTV footage of Bastareaud walking into his hotel with two other players and two women.

"All I can say is we have gained extensive footage and we are analysing it," Mr Cowan said in response.

Police have identified two women who accompanied three players to the hotel but will not confirm if Bastareaud was one.